Arthur's Pass with TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch
You’re picked up at your hotel in Christchurch and transferred to the railway station to board the TranzAlpine for one of New Zealand’s most scenic train rides. Relax during the journey to Arthur's Pass. Your independent rail trip crosses the flat farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before winding through Waimakariri Gorge and the high country’s tussock fields until you reach the magnificent Southern Alps. En route, pass multiple tunnels and viaducts including the 240-foot-long (73-meter) Staircase. On arrival at Arthur's Pass, you’re greeted by your guide for a small-group tour of the national park by minivan, following a former stagecoach route down Otira Gorge, a common place for the Maori to search for greenstone. Hop off the minivan for several short bushwalks as you’re guided along riverside paths in the forest. Back in your vehicle, drive through the South Island high country, stopping to view the craggy cliffs at the Cave Stream, which meanders underground. From the highway, get a glimpse of Castle Hill where weatherworn limestone outcrops form a unique mountain landscape. If you’ve got the energy, you can hike to the top for an encompassing view of the surrounding countryside. Your full-day tour includes morning and afternoon tea along with lunch at a local hotel before you make the return trip to Christchurch by minivan, stopping in the sweeping Canterbury Plains to see Waimakariri Gorge.
Highlights
- ✓Refuel with lunch at a country hotel
- ✓Handy round-trip transfers from central Christchurch hotels are included
- ✓An ideal way of riding the TranzAlpine without going all the way to Greymouth
- ✓Get around Arthur's Pass Village in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
What you'll see & do
- ✓Journey across the wide expanses of the Canterbury Plains into high country surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. After leaving the Canterbury Plains, the landscape dramatically changes into sub-alpine we head towards the spectacular Southern Alps. View the Waimakariri River and its unique braided riverbed system. Enter Arthur’s Pass National Park where short walks can be made to experience forests, rivers and mountains vistas.
- ✓Follow the old stage coach route and travel down the spectacular Otira Gorge, testament to the road builders of the 1860's and the route taken by the Maori in their quest for greenstone. View Cave Stream where it burrows underground in an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a setting of mountains to the east and west. This area was also used as for the filming of C.J Lewis’ story – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn, rain smoothed outcrops of limestone are seen from the highway. Lunch at a country hotel, included in cost of tour.
What's included
- ✓Light refreshments
- ✓Travel by TranzAlpine train
- ✓Local guide
- ✓Guided walks of Arthur's Pass National Park
- ✓In-vehicle air conditioning
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels
- ✓Lunch at a country cafe
What's not included
- ✓Cruise port pickup is not available
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A percentage of the tour price is used for the conservation of New Zealand's wildlife, environment and it's endangered species
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
We will pick you up from your hotel and then drop you at the train station for the trip to Arthurs Pass on the TranzAlpine. Our guide will then meet you at Arthurs Pass, take you for lunch and a short walk before driving you back to Christchurch in a luxury vehicle.
We will pick from any Hotel, B&B, Home-stay within central Christchurch
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.
Arthur's Pass with TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch
You’re picked up at your hotel in Christchurch and transferred to the railway station to board the TranzAlpine for one of New Zealand’s most scenic train rides. Relax during the journey to Arthur's Pass. Your independent rail trip crosses the flat farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before winding through Waimakariri Gorge and the high country’s tussock fields until you reach the magnificent Southern Alps. En route, pass multiple tunnels and viaducts including the 240-foot-long (73-meter) Staircase. On arrival at Arthur's Pass, you’re greeted by your guide for a small-group tour of the national park by minivan, following a former stagecoach route down Otira Gorge, a common place for the Maori to search for greenstone. Hop off the minivan for several short bushwalks as you’re guided along riverside paths in the forest. Back in your vehicle, drive through the South Island high country, stopping to view the craggy cliffs at the Cave Stream, which meanders underground. From the highway, get a glimpse of Castle Hill where weatherworn limestone outcrops form a unique mountain landscape. If you’ve got the energy, you can hike to the top for an encompassing view of the surrounding countryside. Your full-day tour includes morning and afternoon tea along with lunch at a local hotel before you make the return trip to Christchurch by minivan, stopping in the sweeping Canterbury Plains to see Waimakariri Gorge.
Highlights
- ✓Refuel with lunch at a country hotel
- ✓Handy round-trip transfers from central Christchurch hotels are included
- ✓An ideal way of riding the TranzAlpine without going all the way to Greymouth
- ✓Get around Arthur's Pass Village in a private, air-conditioned vehicle
What you'll see & do
- ✓Journey across the wide expanses of the Canterbury Plains into high country surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. After leaving the Canterbury Plains, the landscape dramatically changes into sub-alpine we head towards the spectacular Southern Alps. View the Waimakariri River and its unique braided riverbed system. Enter Arthur’s Pass National Park where short walks can be made to experience forests, rivers and mountains vistas.
- ✓Follow the old stage coach route and travel down the spectacular Otira Gorge, testament to the road builders of the 1860's and the route taken by the Maori in their quest for greenstone. View Cave Stream where it burrows underground in an area of limestone cliffs and gorges, craggy outcrops and a setting of mountains to the east and west. This area was also used as for the filming of C.J Lewis’ story – “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. The incredible Castle Hill rocks, unique weatherworn, rain smoothed outcrops of limestone are seen from the highway. Lunch at a country hotel, included in cost of tour.
What's included
- ✓Light refreshments
- ✓Travel by TranzAlpine train
- ✓Local guide
- ✓Guided walks of Arthur's Pass National Park
- ✓In-vehicle air conditioning
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Christchurch hotels
- ✓Lunch at a country cafe
What's not included
- ✓Cruise port pickup is not available
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A percentage of the tour price is used for the conservation of New Zealand's wildlife, environment and it's endangered species
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
We will pick you up from your hotel and then drop you at the train station for the trip to Arthurs Pass on the TranzAlpine. Our guide will then meet you at Arthurs Pass, take you for lunch and a short walk before driving you back to Christchurch in a luxury vehicle.
We will pick from any Hotel, B&B, Home-stay within central Christchurch
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.